Costco’s Latest Alberta Grand Opening Marks 100 Stores in Canada

The ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of Costco’s 100th Canadian location.

In August, Costco Wholesale opened a new warehouse club in Nisku, bringing the total clubs in Canada for the brand to 100.

“We are thrilled to welcome Costco Wholesale to Leduc County,” said Leduc County Mayor Tanni Doblanko. “The new Costco has created valuable employment opportunities for the region, and it will strengthen the local economy by offering a wider selection of goods and services to our residents and visitors.”

The 149,610 square foot facility has added 150 new full- and part-time jobs in Nisku. The average salary of the workers is $24.50 per hour. Considering employees to be one of its most important assets, Costco pledges to its team competitive wages, a safe environment, career growth, opportunities to give back to the community, a harassment and discrimination-free workplace, and an open-door policy with access to management.

“With the opening of our 100th warehouse in Canada, we can bring the benefits of Costco membership to the doorsteps of Nisku and the surrounding area,” said David Skinner, senior vice president and general manager, Costco Wholesale Western Canada. “This warehouse provides a convenient location for our valued members and members’ businesses in the local community and throughout the area.”

Other dignitaries that attended the grand opening were Honourable Shaye Anderson (NDP), MLA for Leduc-Beaumont and Minister of Municipal Affairs; several Leduc County councillors; Earle Genik, the new store’s general manager; and Tom Ruth, CEO of Edmonton International Airport.

The new location has everything Costco shoppers have grown to love, including an on-site bakery, meat and produce departments, stacks of its famous rotisserie chicken, an independent optometrist and optical centre, a tire centre, hearing aid centre, gas station, pharmacy, food court, and liquor store. More than 4,000 items retail at Costco at warehouse prices, serving both individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that prefer to buy in bulk. Costco members can also purchase items online at Costco.ca.

For over 20 years, Costco has carried its own brand, Kirkland Signature™. The private label was created so “We could take a more active role in ensuring even better value for our members—the highest quality standards at the lowest possible prices. The Kirkland Signature brand allows us to control every aspect of the product: freshness, ingredients, production, packaging, and more,” explains a statement on the Costco website. Kirkland branded products are sourced from all over the world and are, at times, created just for the brand.

Nisku’s Costco is located at 2584 46th Avenue East and is now one of the 758 warehouses the brand operates worldwide. Costco employs more than 39,000 people across Canada, including over 5,500 Albertans. Revenue from the 2017 fiscal year topped $126.2 billion USD. The brand boasts more than 10 million Canadian members, and averages $15 billion CAD annually.

Costco has deep Canadian roots and is important in Canada as an employer, and for giving individuals and SMES access to quality brands at warehouse prices. The opening of the 100th Canadian store is a welcome addition to the Edmonton area.